Although long past the time for having children, Elizabeth and Zechariah are blessed with the gift of a son. It is an occasion of special rejoicing for family and neighbours. And this is no ordinary child. This is revealed on the day of his circumcision. People wanted the child to be named after his father but Zechariah insisted that he be called 'John', even though it was pointed out that no one in his family had ever had that name. Zechariah had been rendered dumb because he doubted the word of the angel that his wife could have a son. Now with his insisting on the name John, his speech returns and the people are amazed. They rightly read it as a message from God. And they turn to the child in wonderment: "What will this child turn out to be?" For, as Luke comments, "the hand of the Lord was with him". We too were baptised and given a name. Perhaps people wondered then how we would turn out. Were their expectations realised? How, in fact, have I turned out? And should I now think of re-directing my life? Or at least change some parts of it? Where do I think God is calling me right now? How can I be part of Jesus' work?